Texas Stands for Life

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TRANSCRIPT

Texas is reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding life in the womb. On Thursday, Catholic governor Greg Abbott signed the Human Life Protection Act. Church Militant's Trey Blanton explores the nuances of this law.

The Human Life Protection Act will become law on Sept. 1, but it will only come into play if Roe v. Wade is overturned.

Under the Act, almost every abortion will become illegal in the Lone Star State, beginning 30 days after the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe, in whole or part. The only exception is if a licensed physician determines the life of the mother is in grave risk of death or serious bodily injury.

Rebecca Parma, legislative associate: "It's a good pro-life policy, but it wasn't a priority for Texas Right to Life, and that's because it's not going to save any lives immediately, it's not going to stop any abortions immediately."

The law doesn't kick in unless Roe is overturned and does nothing in itself to challenge the status quo.

The Supreme Court, however, has decided to hear a Mississippi abortion ban that outlaws abortions after 15 weeks, except in cases of health risks to the mother. 

The High Court could use the case to limit Roe, leading to its eventual reversal, or the conservative-majority court could let down pro-lifers everywhere, cementing the right to murder the unborn by upholding Roe.

Rebecca Parma: "Our Texas Abolition Strategy would have included this trigger push in it, which is waiting for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe, but also would have had a backstop date at four years from now, at most, to end elective abortion in Texas."

As in many states, abortion didn't become legal in Texas until the Supreme Court handed down its decision in Roe. Texans can be reassured the Lone Star State stands ready for the end of this tragic ruling.

This legislative session, Gov. Abbott also signed the Texas Heartbeat Act — a pro-life law that bans abortion after a heartbeat can be detected.

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